When you go on your family holiday, it’s nice to know that there are some things you can buy and bring home to Britain duty free. In some cases there are limits to how much you are allowed to bring, and knowing these limits is important so you don’t fall foul of the rules.

If you’ve taken your holiday within Europe (The EU), then most goods can be brought in, in an unlimited quantity as long as you can show that they are for your own use, or to be given as gifts.

What this means is that your friend can’t say ‘oh can you pick me up some tobacco and I’ll reimburse you’ as this is illegal. You could however buy them some as a gift. If someone from customs thinks you’re bringing in excise goods for commercial use (even if it’s just your friend reimbursing you), they may ask questions about how much you smoke/drink, how often you travel, where you bought the items and why. If they decide you’re bringing them in for illegal purposes they can not only seize the goods, but also the vehicle they were brought in on.

There are no limits on the quantity of alcohol or tobacco you can bring in from within the EU, but if you’ve got more than the following amounts you are more likely to be questioned. These are all per person (however this is for adults only NOT children).

3,200 cigarettes
200 cigars
400 cigarillos
3kg of tobacco
110 litres of beer
90 litres of wine
10 litres of spirits
20 litres of fortified wine

Travelling outside the EU the same terms and conditions apply for bringing goods in, but there are also strict rules on the quantities you can carry too.

Alcohol:
You can bring in either 1 litre of spirits (over 22% volume) or 2 litres of fortified wine, port, sherry, sparkling wine or other alcoholic drinks of less than 22% volume. You can also bring in up to 16 litres of beer and 4 litres of wine as well.

Tobacco:
You may bring in either 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco.

Other Items:
You are also allowed to bring in up to £390 worth of other items such as perfume and souvenirs tax and duty free.

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